Sunderland Echo

Prince Harry gave high fives as he joined Steve Cram and Jonathan Edwards in the North East to train runners taking part in the London Marathon for mental health charity Heads Together.

The trio put on the coaching session on the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside for competitors from across the region and Scotland running for the organisation.

Prince Harry has a laugh with runners during his visit to the North East.

Harry joked with Jarrow hero Cram, who was dressed in shorts and a headband, about a bandage on his knee as the three of them stood on the Millennium Bridge and encouraged runners as they did shuttle runs back and forth.

Joking that one runner looked like Johnny Vegas, he shouted for them to catch the ones in front.

He also greeted some of the by-standers, including a little boy in a bobble hat, asking if they had been tempted to join in the training.

Spearheaded by Harry along with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Heads Together aims to change the national conversation on mental well-being to a positive one.

"I think lots of people struggle with mental health issues, but I think if you can talk to someone about your struggles like I would with my old coach, it's so important and something we need to do."

Earlier Harry began the visit to the North East by meeting veterans who have received mental health support from a military charity.

He attended an event hosted by Walking With The Wounded in Gateshead where he discussed issues faced by ex-servicemen and women.

Wearing a navy blue shirt and khaki trousers, he was met by dignitaries and Ed Parker, the chief executive of Walking With The Wounded, before being taken inside the building to talk to beneficiaries of the charity's projects.

Speaking to the group, he commended the charity on its work.

He said: "What you guys are doing here is truly fantastic.

"There are guys and girls who, because of you, have been taken out of an incredibly dark place and offered a train track heading in one direction.

"They have turned their lives around and can be recognised for the service that they gave and the people that they are, rather than the mistakes they made."

Julie Cain, 53, from Byker, and Maria Scott, 46, from Gateshead, said they had been waiting to see the prince since 8am.

Draped in Union flags, they gave Harry flowers with a picture of Diana, Princess of Wales attached to the bouquet.

Ms Cain said: "We're big royalists but we love Harry especially."

Talking about the work Harry is doing for Walking With The Wounded's mental health projects, Ms Scott said: "He's giving these people a voice and they've struggled to be heard in the past. I think what he's doing is amazing."